While I hate remote stands, there’s something I sorta-kinda like about them when I’m getting off a heavy aircraft. There’s nothing quite as impressive as being able to stand on the tarmac next to a 777 and admire its sheer size.
Air China 777-300ER
Air China 777-300ER
There were two normal sized buses and three smaller “VIP” buses waiting on the tarmac, which I was thrilled to see. We initially got on the second bus only to find there were no seats left, so we instead boarded the third bus. There were only two other passengers in the bus, and it was actually rather comfortable.
VIP bus from remote stand
VIP bus from remote stand
This was hands down the longest bus drive I’ve ever taken from a remote stand. It must have been at least 15 minutes, and we had a pretty fast driver and didn’t stop once.
On the plus side, the planes were nice to look at.
Air China 747-400
Orient Thai 747-400
Another Air China 747-400
Air China 777-300ER (with British Airways 747 taking off in background)
Beijing Airport control tower
Japan Airlines 787
Once we were dropped off at the terminal we took the escalator to the upper level.
Beijing Airport escalator to immigration
Usually when you’re just transiting an airport enroute to a third country you just have to go through security and don’t have to clear immigration. Unfortunately at Beijing Airport you actually have to get your passport stamped. The queue took about 20 minutes to get through, which was a bit of a pain given that there’s no need for such formalities in virtually any other country.
Once that was complete we headed towards the security checkpoint. We picked a line, at which point one of the agents yelled “carry on, you go over there.” I asked for clarification, though that was the only phrase he seemed to know in English. I’m still not sure why we had to go to another line, because people in all lines had carry-ons.
By the time we were through immigration and security we only had about an hour till our flight to Tokyo Narita, so we headed to the Air China lounge.
While not designed all that practically, Beijing Airport is gorgeous architecturally.
Beijing Airport terminal
Beijing Airport terminal
Beijing Airport terminal
Beijing Airport terminal
The Air China lounge isn’t far from the main checkpoint, located at the top of an escalator.
Air China lounge signage
Air China lounge entrance
We were quickly admitted, then began the rather ridiculous process of “registering” our passports with a kiosk in order to get a Wi-Fi code.
As a reminder, if you wouldn’t normally have access based on your ticket, there are a couple options available in Beijing for those with a credit card with lounge access.
Air China lounge Wi-Fi machine
So looking at the pictures below I’ve come to realize that the lounge looks much nicer in pictures than it was… or at least nicer than I remember it to be. The way I remember it, the lounge felt a bit like a combination of a kitschy, cheap Thai restaurant, and the local Chinese herbal foot massage place I like to go to, at least in terms of the way it was decorated.
The lounge is “open air,” basically overlooking the terminal from one level up. It’s a huge lounge with plenty of seating.
Air China business class lounge seating
Air China business class lounge seating
Air China business class lounge seating
Air China business class lounge seating
Air China business class lounge seating
In addition to the “normal” seating there was an entertainment area with some recliners facing a TV.
Air China business class lounge entertainment area
Best I could tell there also seemed to be two nap rooms. I say “seemed” because for one of the nap rooms the door was missing (well, it actually wasn’t missing, it was simply unhinged and standing next to the room), while for the other there was a notice that read “Disinfection.” Hmmm…
Air China business class lounge nap room
Then there was a dining area.
Air China business class lounge dining area
The lounge boasted nice tarmac views, including of the ANA 787 we’d be flying to Tokyo Narita.
Air China business class lounge tarmac views
The food spread in the lounge was certainly extensive, though none of it looked especially appetizing. There were a couple of buffets. One with cold options, and one with a combination of hot and cold options.
Air China business class lounge food spread
Air China business class lounge food spread
Air China business class lounge food spread
Air China business class lounge food spread
Air China business class lounge food spread
Air China business class lounge drinks
Air China business class lounge coffee and juice
Air China business class lounge food spread
You know that one horrible all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet restaurant that every city in the US has, with a name like “Happy Panda” or something? Well, the hot food in the lounge looked equally appetizing.
Air China business class lounge hot food
Air China business class lounge hot food
Air China business class lounge hot food
Air China business class lounge food spread
We left the lounge at 2PM for our 2:45PM departure to Tokyo Narita. Our departure gate was about a 10 minute walk away, and the gate area wasn’t very crowded.
Beijing Airport departure gate
My friend and I had selected window seats behind one another since we had never flown the 787 before. I asked the gate agent if the seat next to me was empty (since the seatmap had looked totally empty a couple of days out). The agent typed for a while and eventually said “3C and 4C no one. But 3A and 4A not voice seats. I’m so sorry.” Not… voice seats?! Eventually I figured out she was trying to explain that it’s tough to talk to one another in those seats. Fair enough!
Boarding began at 2:15PM, and I couldn’t wait for my long overdue inaugural 787 flight, even if it was a regional configuration!
ANA 787
ANA 787
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